Revealing an Illness – The Affliction of a Bleeding Heart

Intimate Partner Domestic Violence (IPDV) is widespread in the United States. IPDV is an act of violence perpetrated by a romantic partner that lives in or outside of the home. Domestic violence is an act of violence between two people living together. Both forms of violence aim to maintain power over another person. IPDV does not discriminate against a person’s age, race, socioeconomic background experience, or education. According to the CDC, IPDV is a “health crisis” that disproportionately affects about 1 in 4 African American women. Every 9 seconds in the US, a woman is assaulted or beaten. And, studies suggest that up to 10 million children witness some form of domestic violence annually. IPDV is a crime that goes unreported due to the matters of the heart, fear, children in the relationship, community/church status, or financial dependence. The violence can start as a verbal confrontation escalating into physical attack or death. A partner may leave the relationship to avoid the abuse; however, later decide to get back involved with their abuser. Unfortunately, victims sometimes died at the hands of the abuser, if the abuse is consistent and lethal.

Click here to download and read our article dedicated to domestic violence awareness month and more in the Fall 2020 issue.